Malawi: "Marriage Trial" Threatens Rights

Published: April 2, 2010

Malawi: “Marriage Trial” Threatens Rights

(New York) – The attempt to convict two people whom the government accuses of breaking laws against homosexual conduct after they went through an engagement ceremony violates basic freedoms on the grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity, Human Rights Watch said in a letter to Malawian authorities. Human Rights Watch called on the prosecutors to drop all charges against Tiwonge Chimbalanga and Steven Monjeza and on the government to reaffirm its commitment to all Malawians’ right to equality, privacy, and dignity.

"The case against Tiwonge Chimbalanga and Steven Monjeza is an affront to essential principles of non-discrimination and equality," said Dipika Nath, researcher in the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) Rights Program at Human Rights Watch. "It singles out two people as criminals simply because they love each other."

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